[Fox SW Sports] Reports Rox are close to signing another FA....

Said it was a former Maverick. Must be Van Exel.

 

I posted this in another thread but CD was at the Fonde tonight. It looked like he had his eye on somebody.

 

Damn i can't watch. They should be talking about NVE. I wonder what Damon would think if we get NVE.

 

We don't need more depth on backcourt. We need better quality. I don't see NVE achieve that goal.

 

NVE said he wants it to be done by Monday.

 

FOXSW was just speculating on singing NVE.

- they had berman interviewing van exel at the fonde. said that he's always wanted to play in houston and he's glad that he's got interest from them. He would like a deal by the the weekend.

so i'm guessing if he's gonna sign with us, we'll know pretty soon

 

I was watching that too and now I'm dissappointed. They were basically speculating? I'm confused because they sounded like they knew of something solid.

 

van exel has always been clutch. remember in the playoffs a few years ago how he took over at some points? im excited if we can get him for so cheap. great addition to the team and were gonna have awesome depth. has anyone really seen him play alot the last couple years? i think its still a safe bet but has he really lost that much quickness to justify the way some people are dumping on him? hes better than charlie freaking ward.

 

I would like to make a trade because our backcourt is just getting jam pack.

 

i decided not to attend wedesday's games at fonde, because monday's games were horrid. i think van exel is much more better at point than damon. even though nick the quick is 50 years old; he is still better than damon's overrated ass. van exel is clutch in the play-offs, compared to damon's cameo appearances with portland.

 

You're just wrong.

Even if NVE signs with us, I think there's a good chance that he would fail his physical.

Jaric would be better at this point. He has the height to play three positions, his defense isn't any worse (and that's saying something), and he's younger. You may as well throw the durability argument out the window, since Nick's missed even more games (an average of 36 a season) over the last two years than Jaric.

 

Better quality than Moochie or Ward, who are slightly tradeable with their contract situations. As having more ability at the point guard position would do, Sura becoming more of a 2 with a good-shooting "natural" 1 alongside him for stretches would improve the situation at the shooting guard a little too. Not more depth, just better depth (after Norris and Ward are gone).

Combos of:

Van Exel (1), Wesley (2) - A little old, but still offensively and defensively capable at both positions.
Van Exel (1), Sura (2) - Age again, but NVE's scoring abilities and Sura's huslting are a good mixture.
James (1/2), Head (1/2) - Most athletic combo available, decision-making ?'s, but defense solid.
James (1/2), Van Exel (1/2) - 2 similar players that could be used situationally to exploit opponents.
Van Exel (1/2), Head (1/2) - Same as above.
Head (1), Sura (2) - These 2 might benefit from switching bodies, which X/O scheming can virtually do.
Sura (1), Wesley (2) - It worked the second half last year...


Options abound - talent might not be the greatest, but it doesn't drop off. Good coaching can finagle this backcourt into great success in supporting the unquestionably deep/talented frontcourt.

 

good post DT

He may not be the best solution out there, but he aint near as bad as some here like to portray him.

probably the best we can get for what little FA money we have.

 

Tonight's games were as good as I've seen them at the Fonde except maybe last years championship game. There were at least 20 dunks in the first game. Damon Jones got dunked on and Rashard Lewis, Sam Cassell, Van Exel, Francis just went up in laughter. Both Stoudamire and Van Exel put on 3 point clinics. Nick might not be as quick as he used to be but is shot is still deadly, if he get him I'll be satisfied.

 

at this point i'd still like to add another younger player that still has some potential to live up to in the back court. Outside of Head we have NO youth in the backcourt with 30 year old mike james being the next youngest. NVE will just continue the trend and his knees are shot. I would definately take him once Jay Williams and Travis Hansen are off the market.

 

I'm not sure you guys have seen very much of NVE the last two years.

He's lost a step. More than a step, a couple steps. He can't get by anyone and create, his shooting is as streaky as it's ever been (I'll admit, when he's hot, he's hot), but he's really no longer a difference maker. His defense has always been bad, but it's been downright atrocious the last couple of seasons, probably due to his creaky knees. He's a shadow of the shell of his former self.

We have better options within the organization. If we sign NVE, we'll be taking away minutes from either MJ, Sura, or Wesley, and he's just not as good as any of those guys.

Let's have a look at his numbers last year on a 27-55 Blazers team:

11.1ppg / 4.3apg / 3.0rpg / .381 FG% / .389 3P% / .784 FT% / 53 Games Played

It'll only get worse. At this point in his career, he's a pretty good backup PG. We already have a pretty good backup PG in Mike James. I just don't think signing NVE will help us.

 

Honestly, I think NVE can still play...he played for losing teams the last 2 seasons and he clearly looked like he lost the love a bit b/c of that ever since he was trade to the warriors. I think coming to a contender would bring back some of the old NVE...remember late last season he put up some big numbers a few games here and there...proving he still has some game left.

 

I think coming to play in his hometown will motivate him to play better. Playing on a contendor will also increase his desire and bring back the NVE from a few years ago.....


but.... it wont bring back his knees. degenerative disorder. true there is little salary risk, but he is basically mike james with a better shot and worse defense. and no ring.